Many of our patients are affected by degenerative joint disease (aka: arthritis) of varying cause and severity. Recently a product called phycox was introduced as an adjunctive treatment for this disorder and was showing great promise as an effective way to help manage this chronic and often debilitating disorder. Unfortunately we have been advised recently of its recent and long term unavailability. I spoke with a Dr. Fuhrman today with a company called Teva animal health, the parent company of DVM products that supply us with phycox. There have apparently been nonspecific manufacturing problems unrelated to phycox which prompted the company to institute a voluntary withdrawal of all of their products until further evaluation of the circumstances.

In the mean time, we will be using a neutraceutical called glycoflex which is a close substitute for phycox. Together with proper weight management, judicious use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatories and moderate exercise, dogs (and cats!) can be kept comfortable and happy for a long time.